Stéphane DionPresident of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I would suggest the member read the February 1996 throne speech.

But, since we are on the topic of traditional demands, and since the Bloc Quebecois is so quick to think them up, I have a few traditional demands to suggest to Quebec: an end to the constant threat of referendums; an end to the separatist freeze; an end to referendums; an end to trickery and other flip-flops; an end to going around in circles.

Our objectives are the same as those of the leader of the Quebec Liberal Party: a better economic union, a better social union, a stronger Quebec within a united Canada.

Mr. Speaker, by reducing Quebec's traditional demands, basic issues defended by all Quebec premiers for more than 40 years, to nothing more than a shopping list, is the Prime Minister not proving that he has understood nothing about Quebec, and that he would do a better job as the manager of a general store than as the Prime Minister?

But, as my counterpart in Quebec even admitted, there have been in recent years important changes designed to improve service to the public.

I was going to mention, if I can make myself heard—which is by no means certain—the limitation on the federal government's spending authority, taken even further than during the Meech Lake Accord, which had the support of Lucien Bouchard at the time; the passage of the regional veto legislation; the distinct society resolution; the fewer conditions attached to the principal federal transfer payment to the provinces, the Canada social transfer; the clarification of roles in various areas, such as mining, forestry, recreation, tourism, social housing—